It is a cause close to the heart of their communications director Ben Metcalfe, whose mum Yvonne (56) was diagnosed with the disease around two years ago.

A 35-strong team, including Ben’s sister Michelle and friends, including staff from The Alma Inn, has now been confirmed - with some having already started training for the popular May event.

Last year the XLCR team managed to raise nearly £5,000 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Former Fisher More RC High School student Ben (26), of Burnley Road, said: “We are running to try and raise awareness as not many people have heard of MSA.

Without the spirit of Ben and his friends we could not continue our work of supporting people affected by the rare brain disease

An MSA Trust spokesman

“My mum was originally diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, but it was about two years ago we got the official confirmation it was MSA. She has shown symptoms for about five years.

“My mum can’t talk, can’t walk, and can’t do things for herself, which we all take for granted. She used to be a childminder, and would walk up and down Colne for about two-and-a-half miles but she had to stop doing that.

“Lee Duerden [XLCR chief executive] was aware of my mum’s situation and made the suggestion we do the run for MSA. It is a nice feeling knowing everyone at work wants to do it.

“We raised a lot of money last year, just under £5,000, so we hope to get somewhere near that this year. That amount of money for the MSA Trust would be phenomenal, because it is fairly unheard of.”

MSA is a disorder that affects adult men and women. It is caused by a degeneration of nerve cells in several or multiple areas of the brain, and can result in problems with movement, balance and automatic functions of the body.

An MSA Trust spokesman said: “The MSA Trust is so grateful that the group from XLCR Vehicle Management and The Alma Inn will be running the Great Manchester Run for us. We wish them all the best in their training.

“The MSA Trust relies entirely on voluntary donations from our members and supporters. Without the spirit of Ben and his friends we could not continue our work of supporting people affected by the rare brain disease, multiple system atrophy.”